21

Race equality: Open letter to the PM and interview with Doreen Lawrence

December 20, 2012In November 2012, Doreen Lawrence OBE and Dr Richard Stone OBE wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister about the review of the Public Sector Equality Duty.The letter says:‘We are particularly concerned about the planned review of the Public Sector Equality Duty since it incorporates the Race Equality Duty and a key legacy of Stephen Lawrence, and of the legacy of the 1997/99 Inquiry set up in his name’.The letter asks that the Review by overseen by an appropriate parliamentary committee or independent panel, that it is governed by clear published terms of reference, and that it follows best practice in terms of post-legislative review.The letter is addressed to David Cameron, the Prime Minister; Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister; Labour Party leader Ed Miliband; the First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond; and the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones.The letter was supported by members of the Race Equality UK Coalition.In December 2012, in an interview withThe Guardian,Doreen Lawrence claimed that the Government has neglected race equality concerns. Her concerns were widely reported.On 19 December, Carwyn Jones, the First Minister of Wales, wrote a letter to Doreen Lawrence and Richard Stone, responding to their concerns about the Equality Duty. The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister also replied to Doreen Lawrence and Richard Stone on 19 December.